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Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

  • Ambode urges electorate to shun violence at polls

    With just two days to the presidential and the National Assembly elections, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has urged the residents to conduct themselves peacefully, especially at the polling centres and shun any act of violence or misconduct that can threaten the exercise.

    In a statement yesterday in Ikeja, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, the governor said the nation was on the threshold of history as the outcome of the elections would be a defining moment in Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.

    He said it was important for the residents, especially the electorate, to ensure that they do not sit on the fence but come out en masse to exercise their franchise in a peaceful and orderly manner.

    Ambode said: “As we prepare for the presidential and National Assembly elections, I appeal to every Lagosian to ensure that the peace we have enjoyed in the last four years in the state is replicated across all the polling units/voting centres on Saturday.

    “Your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) is your voice and it is what you will need to cast your vote. I urge you to come out, be orderly, take your place in the queue and avoid any form of violence that can mar the process or put the lives of our peace-loving citizens at risk.”

    Stressing that he would cast his vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the presidential election and other candidates in the National Assembly elections, the governor said Lagos in the last four years has benefitted immensely from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

  • Polls: Be peaceful, shun violence, Ambode tells Lagosians

    With just two days to the presidential/national assembly elections which comes up on Saturday, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has called on Lagosians to conduct themselves peacefully especially at the polling centers and shun any act of violence or misconduct that could threaten the exercise.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, on Wednesgovernor, the governor said the nation was on the threshold of history as the outcome of the election would be a defining moment in Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.

    He said it was important for residents, especially the electorate to see the election as one that they must not sit on the fence but come out to exercise their franchise albeit in a peaceful and orderly manner, devoid of rancour and all forms of electoral violence.

    “As we prepare for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, I appeal to every Lagosian to ensure that the peace we have enjoyed in the last four years in the State is replicated across all the polling units/voting centres on Saturday.

    Read Also: Ambode hails Senator Tinubu for her ‘life changing projects’

    “Your PVC is your voice and it is what you would need to cast your vote. I urge you to come out, be orderly, take your place in the queue and avoid any form of violence that can mar the process or put the lives of our peace loving citizens at risk,” he said.

    While stressing that he would be casting his vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Presidential election and other candidates for the National Assembly elections, the Governor said Lagos in the last four years had benefitted immensely from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    He listed some of the key capital projects which the State had initiated with the support of the Federal Government to include the release of Oshodi-Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA) road for reconstruction; release of land space in Oshodi for the construction of the interchange and terminus; release of Oshodi- Abule Egba lane for BRT and the release of the Presidential Lodge, Marina for the Lagos History Centre project.

    The Governor also mentioned the ongoing road infrastructure works in Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Badagry-Seme and Ikorodu axis as other intervention projects that President Buhari expeditiously approved to be carried out in the State.

    “The fact is that since 1999, Lagos has never benefitted from the Federal Government under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, the way it has benefited in the last three and half years. Most of the interventions that we have carried out have made life more meaningful to the average resident of the State.

    “Beyond reasonable doubt, President Buhari has shown his love for Lagos and under his administration, Lagos has thrived. It is important that we continue on this trajectory for another four years,” the Governor said.

  • Ambode commissions ‘Great Hall’ of Ikorodu

    .Governor, Ex-minister Ogunlewe bag awards

     

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday commissioned a 1,500-seater facility built by the Oriwu Club of Ikorodu.

    The building, known as ‘The Great Hall’, was described by the Club as the largest in the Ikorodu Division and one of the largest in the state.

    Ambode, a grand patron of the Club, said the facility “will be of immense benefit to members, non-members and all the good people of Ikorodu.”

    He was represented at the event by Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rotimi Ogunleye.

    The governor praised the club for consistently empowering the less priviledged, among other socio-economic acts of philanthropy.

    Ambode added: “I’m impressed by the level of passion and commitment demonstrated by the members of this great club towards ensuring that Ikorodu takes its rightful place among the five divisions of the state.

    “This, I believe, is the primary essence of community-based clubs, and for this, the state government will always support you. Through your activities, you have continued to complement government’s efforts, particularly in promoting social stability and community development.”

    Read Also:  Protesters besiege Lagos Assembly over alleged Ambode’s impeachment plot

    He pledged to sustain “more than a passing interest in the development of Ikorodu”, in line with the state’s policy “of an all-inclusive government.”

    Oriwu Club president, Olukayode Anibaba, described the event as historic and praised the governor “for making the project a reality.”

    Anibaba said: “Over 11 years ago, Oriwu Club under the leadership of Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe commenced the long walk to the realisation of constructing the Great Hall.

    “I had the singular honour of serving in the exco and leading the supervision of the construction team in building the edifice you are witnessing today up to the German Floor with all the columns in place. I give glory to God Almighty.”

    The event featured the presentation of awards to Ambode “in appreciation of his service to humanity,” among others. The governor was also made a honorary member, but his membership won’t take effect until May 29, when his tenure ends.

    A former Minister of Works and former Oriwu Club president, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, was also honoured for his services to humanity and contribution to the project’s success.

    The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi; Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya and Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Basiru Aremu Sotonwa graced the occasion.

    Other attendees included club members and other prominent Ikorodu indigenes.

  • Updated: Protesters besiege Lagos Assembly over alleged Ambode’s impeachment plot

    …urges Assembly to halt planned impeachment of governor

     

    The Lagos State House of Assembly was on Wednesday rocked by a massive crowd of protesters, made up of a coalition of civil society groups, friends, concerned Lagosians and well-wishers of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode under the aegis of Lagos Peoples’ Assembly, LPA.

    They came to protest against and demand for immediate stoppage of purported moves by the Assembly to impeach Governor Ambode.

    They carried placards and banners with different inscriptions like: “Ambode is a performing governor, we reject impeachment”, “Lagosians love Ambode for his good works”, “Let there be smooth transition”, “Enough of intimidation of Ambode”, Lagos APC should be careful, election is around the corner”, “We say no to impeachment”.

    Answering reporters questions, leader of LPA, Comrade Declan Ihekaire said “we are not here to protest, we are here to show solidarity to Ambode and the entire Lagos Assembly that there is no basis for wanting to impeach His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at this point in time.

    “He is still a loyal party man and for that, he deserves no impeachment and moreover we are very close to electioneering period, we don’t want a situation where the opposition will capitalise and take over Lagos state”.

    He said he is an activist but that he has always been voting for good governance and good governance should continue and “we believe a synergy of Ambode, Sanwo-Olu and the House of Assembly will make a better Lagos.

    “A division in the house will bring a break in the relationship, and Lagosians are watching and Nigerians are watching, we call on both the governor and Assembly to shield their swords and rather concentrate on the dire need to complete all the on-going infrastructural projects in the state”.

    Ihekaire urged the Assembly to stop the impeachment plan “every politician wants to have 100 per cent, and if you have 80 per cent you are now scoring 60, you should question yourself, If you had 60 before and you are now scoring 80, it is a plus; so we are advocating for a plus because we want Lagos to be a better place for us all”.

    Referring to the letter the group delivered to the Assembly, Ihekaire said “what we are saying in that letter is that they should please let Ambode be.

    Read Also: Two killed, vehicles burnt as tanker explodes in Lagos

    “As far as we are concerned, as at Wednesday we saw branded buses donated by Ambode to the party, we saw branded T-shirts donated to Sanwo-Olu campaign group by Ambode, we have watched Ambode make statements to say please go for my brother Sanwo-Olu and we are saying that oneness should not be scattered”, Ihekaire said.

    Addressing the protesters on behalf of the speaker and Assembly, Majority Leader, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade who also received the protest letter from the group commended them for their peaceful conduct, saying democracy is all about protest.

    He told the crowd that, “you put us here to do some job which we are doing to the best of our ability, you have a right to tell us how you feel about what we are doing”, assuring them that there was no trouble or crisis in Lagos.

    He assured them that their letter will be presented to the whole House “as you have confidence in us, so we have confidence in you”, Agunbiade said.

    Answering questions from reporters, Agunbiade said he appreciates the peaceful way they came to the Assembly, “it is democracy, people must be involved in governance.

    “It is our responsibility to make sure that we make laws and do other oversight functions and other things enshrined in the constitution; but the people also have a right to observe what we are doing and offer their opinion and their position and that is what they have done and we are going to look into the letter.

    “We appreciate the fact that they say they have confidence in the House, we want to assure everybody that there is no crisis in Lagos, what is just happening is that the legislature is doing what it should in respect of other arms, people have the right to view it differently: this is democratic regime, there is freedom of expression, they have come to express themselves and we have told them we will definitely deliver the letter and the House will consider the content”, Agunbiade assured.

    It would be recalled that on Tuesday, the Lagos Assembly passed a resolution calling on Governor Ambode to appear before it within one week to explain why he must spend from the 2019 budget which he has not laid before the House and that failure to appear within the stipulated time the House would commence the process to impeach him.

  • Lagos Assembly summons Ambode over 2019 budget

    Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to appear before it within one week over the 2019 budget, which has not been presented up till.

    The delay has caused disagreement between the two arms of government.

    It will be recalled that Ambode had sent the 2019 budget to the House in December against the tradition of laying the budget before the House as governor.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa told the lawmakers at plenary on Monday it was important to give the governor a fair hearing over the issue of the 2019 Budget.

    Obasa stated there have been violations of the constitution and infractions on the part of the governor.

    “The Attorney General, Finance Commissioner and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning that ought to have advised the governor did not do so.

    “The most important thing is that we should let the people know that a budget that was yet to be approved was being spent, which was why we could not attend to the governor on the budget on Monday 21, January.

    “We must give them a fair hearing to come and explain what happened. The point has been made that there must be something before the House before you can commence expenditure.

    “We want to call on the governor to come within a week to explain himself along with the other officials.

    “We can start gathering signatures for impeachment. We can exercise patience and wait till another time,” he said.

    The lawmakers had reacted to a report presented by the Deputy Speaker Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni as the Chairman of the Committee set up to look into the issues surrounding the 2019 budget during a parliamentary meeting of the lawmakers.

    Members of the Committee included Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts (State) Hon. Moshood Oshun; Chairman, House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu; Chairman, House Committee on the Environment Hon. Dayo Saka-Fafunmi and the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Abiodun Tobun.

    Eshinlokun revealed that the committee met with relevant commissioners and heads of agencies.

    The Deputy Speaker stated the committee met with the Commissioner For Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Segun Banjo, who said that no money had been spent for the year.

    He said that the Accountant General told the committee that warrant had been issued that they could spend up to 25 percent of the preceding budget before the approval of that of the new year.

    He said they would have to make recourse to the House if they wanted to spend up to N200 million.

    “We pointed out that the governor ought to lay the budget of the New Year before December 31st, but that so far the budget was yet to be laid.

    “We asked them to bring out the law that allows them to spend up to 25% of the budget of the preceding year. They could not bring out such law and we said what they did was wrong.

    “We discovered that people have started receiving alerts and this has a grave implication for the executive.

    “It is our finding that for smooth running of government, there must be a strict adherent to the constitution and it must not be violated. “We decided to bring the report before the lawmakers for us to take action,” he said.

    In his comment, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu revealed that the Committee on Budget discovered during budget appropriation review that there were some specific expenditure in the budgets that ought to have been approved by the House over which funds were expended.

    Yishawu stated that these were misnomers, and that they noticed variation in the expenditure and budget approved.

    “We had issues of virement and monies being spent without approval. We had cases of items that were not budgeted for being carried out, it shows the executive rewrite the budget at will.

    “The Constitution states that the State House of Assembly must approve all expenditures,” he added.

    According to him, things are shutting down, things are being slowed down by the government.

    He said that it was as if the executive was tired and that the people were complaining.

    “It is as if nothing is happening in the state now. Breach of the constitution and gross misconduct are being committed here, and the punishment is clear.

    Read Also: Lagos engages stakeholders on heritage sites

    “We should begin an impeachment process if need be if the executive does not retrace their steps,” he said.

    This was corroborated by Hon. Tunde Braimoh, who said that the manner of revelation was of serious concern.

    He stated that they all swore to uphold the tenets of the constitution of Nigeria.

    He added that Sections 120 and 121 explained the roles of each arm of government when it comes to financial expenditure.

    “If we continue like this, it means we are moving on the ebb of destruction. The issue of gross misconduct should be closely looked into and necessary sanctions applied,” he said.

    This was supported by Hon. Bisi Yusuf, who pointed out that the governor is an accountant and he was an Acting Auditor General in 2001 and was confirmed in 2005.

    “With his level of exposure, he cannot claim ignorance. He is being surrounded by intellectuals, so they ought to have advised him including the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.

    “The Attorney General ought to have been removed for quoting a law that does not exist.

    “All those, who are giving the governor bad advice should be removed.

    “In the whole of Lagos, things have shut down. This is an offence that is not pardonable.

    “I want to say this is an impeachable offence for the governor and the commissioners,” he said.

    Former chairman, committee on budget of the House, Hon. Rotimi Olowo said: “Rewriting of the Budget is an impeachable offence. The Government has been shut down and our roads are in a sorry state.

    “There must be continuity of projects in the budget and this is not followed.

    “Borrowing without informing the house is impeachable. IPP is being owed. If the Governor is tired, he should resign.

    Moshood Oshun said: “When you apply for a job, and you are given, if you are tired, you can leave. If the Governor is tired, he should go.

    “The budget is a law, when we pass a budget, they rewrite their own. What they say is that they are above the law.

    “If you go to Alausa today, all the MDAs are shut down. All their files are with the Governor and he did not work on them.

    Hon. Richard Kasunmu said: “This is a non-compliance with the rule of law. The state is about to be totally shut down, so we should checkmate the situation.

    “If the governor is tired, he should throw in the towel. We cannot keep on standstill because some people are tired.

    Hon. Rasheed Makinde said: “Three years down the lane, the executive cannot tell the people of Lagos that they don’t know what they are doing.

    “It is obvious that the Governor is tired, so they should all go. They even made a mistake in the letter they wrote to the House.

    “Lagos State used to present its budget before others even before the Federal Government.

    “They ought to work based on the budget or they come for reordering. All government agencies have been rendered useless and civil servants are sleeping in their offices.

    “The State House of Assembly must approve the budget. We must pass a vote of no confidence on the Attorney General, Commissioners for Budget, Finance, the Governor and the Deputy Governor.

    Hon. Yinka Ogundimu reacted: “The Governor has always been disobeying our motions. They refused to follow our motions on the environment, which is why everywhere is dirty.

    “If you look at the various projects not provided for in the budget that are being done, then it is breach of the constitution.

    “The people concerned should resign before we invoke the aspect of the constitution that gives us power to remove them from office. We should make it clear that there have been warnings from us.

    Hon. Sola Giwa said: “This is a matter of constitutionality and it is about the law. We all swore to uphold the law.

    “If you breach the law, there is a consequence and the best is for the House to begin an impeachment process.

    Hon. Victor Akande said: “There is no need for virement according to the constitution. I don’t think there is any budget before the House.

    “The constitution states that the budget must be laid and it is a gross misconduct. So, we should do the needful.

    Hon. Fatai Mojeed said: “We received the money from Paris Fund and other funds, the executive did not take permission before they spent the money.

    Hon. Jude Idimogu said: “The government is not moving forward. Our party is the APC and we are doing well.

    “The government is not putting us in the light and we have the opposition that is watching us.

    “No budget has been laid before the House. The key members such as Attorney General, Commissioners For Finance and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning. The needful is impeachment.

    Others who spoke are: Hon. Noheem Raheem: “I support the fact that they should resign if they are tired.

    Hon. Fatai Oluwa: “This is a deliberate attempt by the Governor not to bring the budget before the House.

    “He is surrounded by erudite lawyers that ought to have advised him. Public Works, LAWMA, IPP are more working. If it would be necessary to sign and send him out of office it would be okay.

    Hon Oladele Adekanye said: “It is clear that there are infractions and impeachable offence committed. The defences of the commissioners are not tenable.

    Hon. Sabur Olayiwola said: “There have been abuses of the constitution and disobedient to the constitution. Spending without making recourse to the assembly is an impeachable offence.

    “The best thing is to show him that we are representing our people and that we are not here for fun.

    “The best thing is to let them know that we mean business. The Permanent Secretary/Accountant General that is talking about 25 percent spending should be brought to book.

    Hon. Akeem Shokunle, “The financial misconduct of the Governor is obvious and we should begin an impeachment process.

    Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, “The situation is an unfortunate one. Section 121 of the Constitution states the the appropriation bill should be laid before the House and this has not been done.

    “It is an abuse of office and an undue influence by the Governor. We can start an impeachment process and pass a vote of no confidence on some of the members of the executive.

    To Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho: “We are the voice of the people of Lagos State and we perform oversight functions to ensure that the Government do the best for the people.

    “Accountability is not being done here. Section 121 made it clear that the appropriation bill should be laid before the house.

    “Section 122 states that if that has been done, you can now spend 25percent of the budget estimate for a period of six months.

    “We need to forward the infractions to the Governor. The tax payers should know what their money is being spent on.

    Hon. Setonji David said: “The infractions are too grave, there is a problem and we need to do what is right. The government must be held responsible for their actions.

    Hon. Akeem Bello, “The Governor and his Deputy should tender their resignation letter.

    Hon. Dayo Saka-Fafunmi, “I am sad over the revelations by what the Deputy Speaker reads and during out interactions with the executive.

    “The business of governance is not based on sentiments, it ia based on law. Section 120 of the Constitution that talks about the public fund is very important.

    “All the violations amount to gross misconduct. Section 188 subsection defines gross misconduct. We strongly believe that essential services that ought to be met are missing in the state.

    “I am in line with the statement and decisions of the members that if the executive members are not ready for governance, they should resign or should be impeached.

    Hon. Mojisola Miranda said: “The constitution is clear that there is punishment for any offence.

    Hon. Dayo Famakinwa stated: “I want to support my colleagues that the offences are impeachable and we should activate the process immediately.

    Hon. Saka Solaja said: “A budget is financial instrument that analyses and interprets the financial expenditure. Since 1999, Lagos State has always been presenting its budget as at when due, but that has not been done.

    “The financial regulations and the constitution have been breached. We should start a process of impeachment immediately.

    Hon. Folajinmi Mohammed said: “There is a vagrant abuse of the constitution, which is an impeachable offence.

    To Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi: “It is an issue of flagrant disobedient to the constitution. A review of a previous year’s budget is a precursor to the approval of the new budget.

    “A review of the 2018 budget shows poor performance. MDAs complained of inability to access their funds.

    “All these infractions should be communicated to the Governor for his reaction and if he fails to do so, the House can begin a process of impeachment.

    Hon. Omotayo Oduntan Deputy Whip said: “Today is a sad day. The executive just moved money from one ministry to another without recourse to the Assembly.

    “When all these happen, it shows a total disregard to the budget being passed by the House. We should get across to the Governor to explain himself or else we should begin an impeachment process.

    Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, (Majority Leader): “It is clear that the budget has not been presented before the House. My colleagues have addressed all the issues. We should let the public know that we do not have the budget before the House.

    “Three suggestions we made, that the Commissioners, who were approved by the House and are working with the Governor should have vote of no confidence passed on them. They have failed in their responsibilities.

    “The next is for the Governor to resign or we should begin an impeachment process against the Governor.

    “We can communicate to him to reign or failure to do that is for us to start collecting signatures of lawmakers so that we can be seeing to have done our job.

    Hon. Rotimi Abiru (Chief Whip):  “I want to adopt what has been done without wasting much time. There have been some infractions on the part of the Governor and the position of the law is clear.

    Hon. Wahab Jimoh (Deputy Majority Leader) said: “I saw this coming like an ocean surge. The Attorney General wrote the House to withdraw the private member bills before the House.

    “I had been noticing that there would be crisis. The report I saw with the Deputy Speaker shows that the 2019 is being implemented.

  • Ambode swears-in new permanent secretary

    Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday swore-in the newly elevated Permanent Secretary and State Auditor-General for Local Government and members of the Board of the new Lagos State Teaching Service Commission.

    The new Permanent Secretary who until Monday was the State Auditor-General for Local Government is Mrs. Adesumbo Idiat Abolarin and Chairman of the new Board is retired former permanent secretary, ministry of education, Mrs. Elizabeth Olabisi Ariyo.

    Other members of the Board are: Mr. Jacob Ashaka, Mrs. Sidikat Titilayo Smith, Mr. Adeleke Oluseun Kara all retired principals and Mrs. Adijat Kubura Hassan, a Director of Education and lecturer.

    Addressing the new appointees, Ambode told the new permanent secretary to make sure the trust reposed in her is not misplaced.

    Congratulating the Board members, the governor said their quality cannot be contested because they are well qualified for the position and that the setting up of the Board was in an effort to strenghten education in the state, adding that a society cannot thrive beyond its educational attainment.

    According to him, the law setting up the Board is also meant to ensure improvement in teachers’ welfare and to make sure qualified teachers are employed.

    Read Also: Ambode fails to present Lagos 2019 budget

    “No doubt with the calibre of people on the Board we shall witness improvement in education sector”, urging them to maintain an effective and efficient teaching personnel.

    Ambode urged them to read the law and follow due process in all they do, “don’t be bias”, adding that “all infrastructure in the education sector will be wasted if not handled by dedicated teachers.

    He said that though the board might encounter transitional issues, he assured that everything will be sorted out within the time frame of his administration.

    Speaking on behalf of all the appointees, chairman of the Board, Ariyo thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they will strive and work hard to justify their appointment.

    “We shall endeavour to enhance and promote welfare of teachers, train and retrain them for outstanding performance”, she promised.

  • FG will implement more projects in Lagos State – Osinbajo

     

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Federal Government will implement more projects and infrastructure in Lagos State, if the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins the presidential election.

    Osinbajo made the pledge during his visit to the palace of the Monarch of Kosofe and Oloworo of Oworoland, Oba Olohuntoyin Salau.

    The vice president, who was in the area to continue the party’s house -to-house campaigns in Lagos, said that the state was very important to the Federal Government.

    “We were in opposition for 16 years and the party at the centre did not do well for Lagos. Now that we are at the federal, we will ensure that we achieve everything that we desire in the state.

    “Governor Akinwunmi Ambode cooperated with us at the federal, that is why we are moving forward and doing some projects for Lagos state. I believe Babajide Sanwo-Olu will do the same.

    “I want to assure you that, Lagos and Kosofe will enjoy more federal presence. We will implement more federal projects in Lagos State,” the he said.

    Earlier Salau urged the Federal government to release Oworonsoki Global Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) before the general elections.

    Responding to the monarch’s request, Osinbajo said the present administration would work on reclaiming the land.

    The Oba also called on the government to assist the community in sand filling water logged and swampy lands in Kosofe Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Osinbajo seeks massive support for APC candidates

    The traditional ruler said the assistance became necessary so that there would be more land available for government to build infrastructure such ad  Trailer Parks.

    According to him, such infrastructure will reduce the traffic challenges in some parts of the state caused by unavailability of parking lots for the heavy duty trucks.

    The Oba, however, assured Osinbajo that the people of Kosofe would vote for President Muhammadu Buhari.and the Lagos APC Governorship Candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    He also promised the vice president that his people would vote for all other APC candidates in the forthcoming House of Assembly and National Assembly elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Osinbajo was accompanied by Sanwo-Owo, his running mate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Special Adviser to the President on Politics, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu.

    Others were: Senator Gbenga Ashafa, (Lagos East APC) senatorial candidate for Lagos East Senatorial District, Bayo Osinowo and Mr Rotimi Agunsoye, representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, among others.

    NAN further reports that the campaign took Osinbsjo and his entourage to select houses around Ketu, Oworonsoki Alapere and its environs, among others.

    NAN

  • I’ll complete ongoing projects before handover – Ambode

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State late on Wednesday allayed the fears of the residents of the state over ongoing projects.

    He said that his administration was making concerted efforts to complete many of them before May 29 when its tenure would end.

    Ambode gave the assurance during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in parts of the state.

    The governor said the good thing about continuity in governance which he had been preaching, is that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had signed on to the projects.

    “I know that the feedback we are getting is that Lagosians are worried whether some of our critical projects will be delivered before we leave office.

    “We want to assure them that with what we have had from the contractors and the inspection we have done today, these projects will be completed.

    “And some of them if they are not completed, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu will complete them on assumption of office.

    “That is the whole essence of governance of continuity that we are preaching.

    “That is why we believe strongly that he will not only complete them but also escalate them to higher level and that is the whole idea about APC,” Ambode said.

    Read Also: Ambode arrests soldiers, others for driving against traffic

    He said that plans had been firmed up to roll out the Bus Reform Project of the State Government in March with 820 high and medium capacity buses.

    Ambode said that this would redefine public transportation and make the state more globally competitive.

    He said the initiative was basically designed to inject 5,000 buses, modern terminals, facilitate ease of mobility for residents and also rev-up Lagos economy, among others.

    Ambode inspected the assembly plant at Awoyaya in Ibeju-Lekki area of the state which also served as the temporary holding bay for 500 out of the 820 buses.

    He said that he was optimism that the buses would be rolled out after the general elections.

    He said the next phase of the project would be to assemble the buses in Lagos.

    “This is an assembly plant.

    “The dream is that beyond the procurement of 820 buses by the government, the next set of buses in the vision should be assembled in Lagos:  in this assembly plant and in another one in Epe,’’ he said.

    The governor and his team also inspected other projects that include: the Oshodi Transport Interchange which is 85 per cent completed.

    The team also inspected the bus depots at Oshodi, Yaba and Oyingbo to be ready by March.

    Others are: the International Airport Road to be ready by early May; and the Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT Corridor to be delivered in April.

     

    NAN

     

  • Lagos launches Reality TV to showcase emergency rescue operations

    Lagos State Government has launched a reality television programme to showcase the efforts and strategies of emergency management agencies before, during and after rescue operations, with the view to deepen safety of lives and property in the State.

    The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Kehinde Bamigbetan disclosed this at a press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on Tuesday.

    The commissioner said the programme, tagged ‘Lagos Rescue’, was also designed to enlighten residents of their responsibilities during emergency situations.

    He said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, in the last three and half years, had invested massively in safety of lives and property and towards enhancing the activities of emergency management agencies, adding that the new initiative was another demonstrable commitment to the welfare of the people.

    According to Bamigbetan, “Lagos Rescue is an initiative of the Lagos State Government to showcase the efforts of the State Emergency Management Agencies at addressing emergencies in order to ensure the safety of lives and property. The programme is also meant to highlight the roles and responsibilities of the citizenry during emergencies for regular smooth operation.

    “In his spirited efforts to ensure that Lagosians live in peace, and also promote an accident-free society, His Excellency, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode approved the reality programme in view of the many benefits it offers the State. This is in addition to the huge funds regularly allocated to the emergency management agencies to strengthen their capacity to manage an emergency.”

    Stressing that everyone has a role to play in emergency rescue operations, Bamigbetan said the government, as a sensitive and responsible entity, decided to come up with the programme to send the right message to the citizenry, adding that the programme would focus majorly on the activities of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), and the Lagos State Fire Service.

    Giving further details, Bamigbetan who addressed the briefing alongside Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna; Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Mr Idowu Ajanaku; and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy,  Mr Fola Adeyemi, said the State Government remained committed to the safety of lives and property.

    He said: “While we cannot avoid emergency in the State, the government remains committed to ensuring immediate and effective response to emergency situations.

    “As such, Lagos Rescue is people-centric as it will present real-life experiences involving our emergency rescue operations in order to achieve two major objectives of teaching viewers how we go about saving valuable lives of Lagosians and making them identify how they could have prevented casualties that result from such emergency situation.”

    He, therefore, urged residents to take advantage of the programme which would be showing on Lagos Television every Sunday by 10:30pm, and also provide valuable feedback through the various social media platforms of the State Government.

     

  • Ambode apprehends motorists for driving against traffic

    Some lawless motorists who drove against traffic along the Murtala Muhammed Airport Road, Ikeja got a raw deal from Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday as he came down hard on them for flagrant abuse of the state traffic laws.

    The governor who returned from Abuja after attending the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council was shocked at the manner some motorists drove ‘one way’ to beat the traffic along the Air-force Base inward International Airport Road, Ikeja.

    He was particularly angry that one of the offenders, an army personnel, who drove a space bus with registration number JJJ 290 AC, choose to blatantly contravene the law.

    On sighting the vehicle, Ambode alighted from his car and reprimanded the officer for showing bad example contrary to what the Nigeria Army is known for.

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    Another offender, who drove a saloon car with registration number LSR 445 ER, also got some schooling from the governor for breaking the law regardless of the dangers involved in driving against traffic.

    Ambode immediately ordered for the vehicles to be impounded, while also directing that the offenders be prosecuted in line with the provisions of the Traffic Laws.